Switch mechanism



Dec. 15, 1925- H. K. KRANTZ SWITCH MECHANISM 192:5 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 25,

INVENTOR fll/A'rf/K Ira/1f:

ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 1925- H. K. KRANTZ swn'cu MECHANISM Filed Aug. 25. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 15, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATEN QFFICE.

HUBER! K. KRANTZ, 0F WILKINSBU'R G,

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRICEz MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A C ORIEOIltA'JTIOIJJ'v OF PENNSYL- VAN IA.

- swrrcn MECHANISM.

Application filed August 25, 1923. Serial No. 659,258.

- cuits of residences and similar buildings One object of my invention is to provide a simple enclosed service switch wherein the switch blades are withdrawn from engagement with the contact jaws by a snap action when the friction of the contact jaws is overcome.

Another object of my invention is to provide a switch box having the above. characteristics wherein the mechanism for actuating the switch wit-h a snap action is confined within a hollow operating handle disposed exteriorly of the housing.

Another object of my invention is to provide a quick opening service switch that is simple in construction and which contains a minimum number of inexpensive parts that may be readily assembled or inspected or repaired.

These and other objects that will be made apparent throughout the further description of my invention are attained by the switch mechanism hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the improved switch mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the operating handle with the cover removed;

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the improved switch mechanism; and

Fig. 4 is a' longitudinal sectional view through the operating handle.

Referring to the drawings the apparatus includes a metal switch housing having a bottom wall 5, side walls 6 and 7 end walls 8 and a cover 9 that is pivoted to the housing by means of hinges 11. The housing is of the usual sheet metal construction and serves to enclose a standard service switch which comprises an insulating base 12 upon which pivot jaw members 13 and contact jaw members 1 1 are mounted in the usual manner. Switch blades 15 are pivoted within pivot jaw members 13 and are adapted to be moved into engagement with the contactjaw members 14: to close the circuit through the switch mechanism.

The switch blade members 15 are actuated by means ofan operating crank rod 16 that is pivoted to the side walls 6 and 7 of. the housing and which is provided with a portion 17 that extends exteriorly of'the housing and which is provided with a flattened extension 18 as, indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. The crank rod 16 is attached to the switch blades 15 by means. of insulating plates 19 that are riveted to the blade members, and which are provided with notches 21 for receiving the crank rod 16'. l/Vhen the crank rod is rotated counter clockwise, the switch blade members are moved to open position.

A hollow operating handle 22 is pivotally mountedupon the extended portion 17 of the operating rod 16, the handle being provided with a hub portion 23 into which the portion 17 of the operating rod extends. The

handle is ofhollow construction and is provided with a recess 24 111 which a crank arm 25 is disposed and which is provided with The handle 22 is so designed that contact faces 26 and 27 are provided within the recessand between which the crank arm is free to oscillate within fixed limits, thus providing a lost-motion connection of the handle to the crank'arm. The helical spring 28 is disposed in the recess 24 of the handle and is attached at one end to the free end of the crank arm 25 and, at the other end, to the handle 22 by means of a screw 29. The spring normally holds the crank arm 25 in engagement with the contact surface 27 and when the switch is in either its open or its closed position, the crank arm and the switch, the friction of the contact jaws, which press against the sides of the switch blade'members, preventsmovement of the blade members until the contact surfaces 26 of the operating handle engages the crank arm 25. When the surface 26 engages the crank arm 25, the latter is moved positively by the handle out of engagement with the contact jaw members and the spring 28 then instantly draws the blade members out of engagement with the contact j aw members with a snap action, thus interrupting the are incident to the separation of the switch blade members tromthe contact members and preventing the usual destruction ot such members incident to slow separation of the blade members from the contact aw mem bers. The recess 2% is closed by a sheet metal cover 31 that is attached to the operating handle 22 bymejans of screws 32.

It will be apparentthat the switch operating mechanism is of simple construction and'that, thej'spring and crank arm are confined within the handle in such manner that they cannot be interfered with by external objects. Movement of the operating handle in either direction is limit-ed by stop members 33 and 34, respectively, that are integral with a plate 35 that is secured to the exterior of the side wall 7, the stop members being engaged bya flange 36 that is formed integral with the handle 22 A flange 87 also formed integral with the handle is provided with an oblong opening 38, for the purpose of receiving the hasp ot a look (not shown) which is inserted for the purpose of locking the switch in open position. Closing movement of the switch is prevented by reason of the engagement 01 the hasp of the lock with the outer tacewith the stop member Opening movement of the switch is limited by means of stop member 39 that is secured to the inner side of the side wall 7, and which engages the operating crank rod 16.

lVhile l have illustrated but one embodiment of: my invention it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions and omissions may be made in the apparatus illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, as set forth in the appended-claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Switch mechanism comprising a movable switch member, a contact member therefor, a rotatable operating member for the switch member, a hollow operating handle mounted for rotation about the axis of rotation of the operating member, a crank Within the handle secured to the operating member and having a lost-motion connection thereto and a spring within the handle for moving the crank with a snap action when the switch member is released from the contact member.

9. Switch mechanism comprising a movable switch member, a housing therefor, an operating rod for the switch men tier pivoted to the side walls otthe hone ng and having a portion extending exterior-1y of the housing, a hollow operating handle pivoted upon the exteriorly extending portion 01 the rod and having a lost-motion connection thereto and a spring within the handle yieldingly connectingithe rod and the operting handle. i w

3. Switch mechanism comprising a mom able switch member, a rotatable operating member therefor, a rotatably inountedhoh low operating handle, a crank secured to the operating member and disposed w the operating handle and ha l "g in; iced movement therein and a spring carried by the handle for ;Jieldingly connecting the crank to the handle.

Switch mechanism comprisinga mov able switch member, rotatable operating member therefor, a rotatable hollow handle having a lost motion'conncction to the operating member for positively engagingand moving it, and a helical spr encased within the-handle and e z'ttending longitudinally thereof for yieldingly connecting the handle to the operating memben 5. Switch mechanism comprising a movable switch member, a housing therefor, an operating rod althe switch n'ie nber pivoted to a side wall the housing and having a portion extending exteriorly threofla crank fixed to the said portion, a rotatable hollow handle enclosing the crank" and twinge lost motion connection thereto, a helical spring within the lian'dleconn'ected end to the crank and at the other end to the handle adjacent to the free end thereof for moving the crank with a snap action.

6. Switch mechanism iromprisiug a movable switch n'ielnber, a housing there r,au operating rod for the switch meiuber piv oted to the side walls of the lmusing and having a portion eritending exteriorly of the housing, a rotatable operating handle mounted exteriorly o f the casing and having a lost motion connection to the operating member, a spring for yieldingly connecting the operating member to the handle, stop means exterior-1y of the housing lor limiting movement ot thehandle and stop means the operating means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 20th day of August, 1923. i 'i within the housingfor limiting movement or" n EiaT aA TZ. 

